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While mod support for recent first-person shooters is more sparse than a populated Crysis 2 server, it's good to see that some of the tried and proven mods still receive some love. Take Project Reality, for instance: Developer Black Sand Studio has taken on an ambitious task with this Battlefield 2 mod, gunning for something that appeals to both the hardcore audience and the less realism-obsessed Call of Duty crowd.

Considering that Black Sand's utilizing a six-year-old game engine, it's achieved some medal-worthy results with Project Reality's all-important visual and audio facets. While the mod's not exactly a Crysis-killer in these respects, the attention to detail on player skins, vehicles, and weapons ain't exactly shabby. Weapon models are the true highlights here, equaling the intricate boomsticks found in the likes of Call of Duty and Battlefield -- while the expanded view distance makes for maps where you can reach out and touch somebody (with bullets, that is) from truly staggering distances.

And Project Reality's soundscape makes it seem as though you're actually under threat of more than just digital death during tense firefights. Snaps and hisses let you know when you've attracted the unwanted attention of a hidden sniper, while the unmistakable sound of a clanking tank means it's time to find cover or taste dirt. Not coincidentally, any loud gunfire-like noises you make can draw unwanted attention, which forces you to get much more selective about your shots.

The real fun lies in Project Reality's cooperative mode -- its multiplayer servers are havens for a Rainbow Six-like team of globetrotting gamers, all hell-bent on informing the enemy A.I. that it's five minutes past dead. Even amidst lag, the game is still highly playable; this removes the usual frustration of intercontinental play, and means you can find a populated server no matter what time of day you choose to play. Just try to play nice -- the types of guys who run dedicated servers for realism-heavy games tend to have a lower tolerance for tomfoolery than your average admin.

In contrast, Black Sand clearly understands that realism doesn't necessarily equate to watching paint dry. The developers get that vehicle space is limited, and that getting around a large battlefield is not fun without a generous helping of sprint. Need to get through a locked gate? Easy: Introduce the chain to a 50-caliber machine gun. Want to get on a roof that doesn't have a ladder? Simple: Get a Special Forces class to lob a grappling hook over the edge and climb on up. Hell, you can even build a variety of structures/weapon emplacements to convert a boring hill into a fortified position.

Unresponsive keystrokes occasionally cause sticky situations; it's particularly frustrating when you're trying to line up a foe who has a bead on you. Teleporting A.I. combatants further complicate things, as they seemingly get beamed in from nowhere at times. But the biggest frustration involves rooting out the last remaining A.I. enemy in an otherwise-successful scenario -- the sole soul stopping your team from glorious victory in a Bin Laden-like manhunt which, much like the real thing, often makes for rather long and frustrating waits.

Deployment mode is the real star of Project Reality, bringing together all of the satisfaction of squad-based camaraderie and pitting you against human players in giant 32-on-32 maps. This is where the mod lifts its skirt: With death just a single trigger pull away, following the orders of your squad leader is absolutely critical, resulting in a game that focuses on team play with the ruthless intensity of a battlefield sniper. While quick wits and twitch skills will help your kill/death ratio, they're nothing without some I.Q. to back it up. Throw the tactical use of easy-to-control vehicles of all shapes and sizes into the mix, and the result is one refreshingly addictive cocktail.

Project Reality walks a beautiful line of realism and accessibility. The result is a united sense of satisfaction, addictive gameplay, and engaging warfare that rewards you as you march deeper into the battlefield.